Two convicted felons are using last month's Supreme Court ruling in Heller to challenge a federal law that prohibits them from owning guns. They're challenging based upon the court's ruling that the second amendment allows them to keep loaded handguns at home for self defense.
"Felons, such as Barton, have the need and the right to protect themselves and their families by keeping firearms in their home," says David Chontos, Barton's court-appointed lawyer.
Mr. Chontos and other criminal defense lawyers say the high court's decision means federal laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of people convicted of felonies and crimes of domestic violence are unconstitutional as long as the weapons are needed for self-defense.
Have you heard that quaint colloquialism that rhymes with "spit"? You know the one I speak of, the one with the literal meaning "fecal droppings from a male bovine?" Mr. Chontos apparently didn't really bother to read the courts opinion, where Justice Scalia said…
Although we do not undertake an exhaustive historical analysis today of the full scope of the Second Amendment, nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill…
Look it up. It's on page 54 of the opinion of the court. I guess criminal defense lawyers don't really bother reading the opinions they cite in the defense of their clients. Is it any wonder it takes decades to see justice in some cases?
Originally posted at Perri Nelson's Website. Cross posted at NW Bloggers.
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